Pickleball and the City: Six Urban Adventures Where You Can Stay—and Play

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Six destinations that serve up culture, cocktails, and killer drop shots.

Not every pickleball getaway needs to involve a tropical resort or a sprawling RV park. For travelers who love the energy of a city but still want to squeeze in a few games, urban pickleball is having a moment. And we’re not talking about scrambling to find a cracked community court in some unfamiliar neighborhood—we mean hotels where you can sleep upstairs and play downstairs.

Take New Orleans, for starters. The Hilton New Orleans Riverside might be best known for its Mississippi River views and prime location by the French Quarter, but tucked inside its HealthClub are six dedicated indoor pickleball courts. Permanent lines, portable nets, locker rooms, and a climate-controlled environment make this a favorite for both locals and hotel guests. You can finish a sweaty round-robin, shower, and be sipping a Sazerac on Bourbon Street 30 minutes later. Want more? Head to The Exchange, NOLA’s premiere indoor pickleball venue, just a short Uber ride away! Pro tip, head to Molly’s Rise and Shine for breakfast or lunch after you play. 

In Chicago, urban pickleball has gone full throttle. The city now boasts several sleek indoor facilities, but if you want to pair court time with a stylish hotel stay, check into the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place. Just steps from the lakefront and Museum Campus, this hotel offers easy access to the Lakeshore Sport & Fitness complex, where guests can reserve pickleball courts with a day pass or short-term membership. The facility includes rooftop courts with skyline views in warmer months, plus indoor options for year-round play. Or check out Big City Pickle, known for it’s pick-up play.

After a match, it’s a quick hop to a deep-dish pizza spot, Millennium Park, or a jazz club tucked into River North. It’s city pickleball at its most vibrant—fast-paced, diverse, and always a little unexpected.

Up in the Midwest, Grand Rapids, Michigan may surprise you with its pickleball chops. The Amway Grand Plaza, part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, has real courts on its fourth-floor rooftop. It’s a mix of skyline views and sweat, with hotel guests having easy access to structured play or casual hit-arounds before heading out to explore the city’s breweries or ArtPrize installations. Pro tip, bring a few extra balls…just in case. 

For a Southern California fix with urban flair and a dose of island calm, San Diego’s Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa hits the sweet spot. Just across the bay from downtown, this resort-style property offers dedicated pickleball courts right on-site, reserved exclusively for guests. You’ll play with views of the skyline and sailboats drifting past, then walk or bike into the heart of charming Coronado for breakfast burritos or boutique shopping. And if you’re craving city energy, downtown San Diego is just a quick ferry or five-minute drive away—close enough for a Padres game or Gaslamp happy hour, far enough to feel like a true retreat. With paddle in hand and the Pacific breeze at your back, this is urban pickleball with a side of vacation.

Houston, meanwhile, has taken urban pickleball in a slightly different direction. The new Solarium Racket Lounge, located in a former warehouse in Midtown, isn’t a hotel—but it offers everything else: four indoor courts, a full-service bar, a paddle shop, and lounge vibes that feel more Vegas than YMCA. With several nearby boutique hotels, like la Colombe d’Or it’s an easy walk from your room to the courts and back again—with margaritas in between.

And across the Atlantic, Barcelona offers a rich urban pickleball experience seamlessly paired with city life. Skip the urban hustle—instead, stay at the Hotel Dolce Barcelona Resort, just outside downtown and perfectly connected to the Barcelona vibe. This contemporary hotel has partnered with the local golf club to provide on-site access to seven state-of-the-art glass pickleball courts, set within lush landscaped surroundings. Guests can make hourly reservations and join clinics, social leagues, or simply practice between art museum visits or tapas crawls.

Wake up early and walk the bustling streets of El Born or the Gothic Quarter, then head back mid-morning for a match under the Mediterranean sun. In the evening, you can cab back into town for paella and sangria in the Plaça de Catalunya or catch the sunset from a rooftop bar overlooking Gaudí’s skyline. It’s the pick-perfect blend: serious pickleball amenities alongside Gaudí, beachside cafés, and the Spanish pace of life. Coincidentally, we are planning a trip to Barcelona, so you may hear more about this place in the future.

Urban pickleball isn’t about escaping the city—it’s about living in it. Playing a few games, then stepping out into the noise and lights and flavor of a great destination. With hotels like these, your paddle doesn’t have to stay behind.